They are always open — Aston Villa star explains how they broke Arsenal's defense

Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins has explained how they planned on exploiting Arsenal's defence after he scored to help his side clinch a point at the Emirates. 

The Gunners raced into a two-goal lead through Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz, but a sensational eight minutes in the second-half, with goals from Youri Tielemans and Watkins, helped the Villans draw 2-2. 

Speaking after the game, the England international striker provided some insights into how they set up against Mikel Arteta's Gunners. 

The 28-year-old did not have the best first half. He explained that they played more directly in the first 45, and it was a major task to deal with the physicality of Gabriel.

"First half we went direct—Gabriel is a strong guy, so it is hard to hold the ball up against him,” Watkins said, per the BBC. 

Watkins scored through a lapse in Arsenal's defence, which left him unmarked at the back post. The former Brentford man explained that it was planned, as they knew Arsenal’s man-for-man marking style meant they left spaces that could be exploited. 

"We knew they went man to man. There was chances there to be taken as they're always a little bit open.”

*When I got my goal, I felt we had enough time to push on and get a goal, but it was about being brave and making more passes.”